When it comes to picking out the ultimate Christmas movies, it doesn’t really come as a surprise that many of them are family-friendly. Sure, you might sometimes crave a bit of holiday horror with a dash of gore to shake things up. But more often, the holidays bring feelings of nostalgia that take you back to the magical Christmases of your own childhood.

As I grew older, the desire to share those same movies with my daughter became a heartwarming and entertaining tradition that keeps the Christmas spirit alive in our home.

I made a list and checked it twice, counting down the absolute best choices for your kid’s Christmas movie marathon. Whether your child leans towards goofy comedies or timeless animated treasures, there’s a sleigh-load of Christmas films to keep your little ones entertained.

So, toss some peppermint into your popcorn bowl and whip up a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Grab your blanket and take your pick from my carefully curated list for the next time your family movie night rolls.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Trust me, it effortlessly bridges the gap. This musical holiday mash-up isn’t just a Halloween or a Christmas movie—it’s both, and thankfully, it’s good enough to warrant watching twice a year.

In the midst of an existential (aka mid-life) crisis, our Pumpkin King finds himself bored with the usual scares of his realm. He takes on the role of “Sandy Claws” and decides to deliver his own uniquely macabre gifts to children. With fascinating stop-motion visuals, this film is a treat, no matter the time of year.

Jingle All The Way

As he becomes increasingly frustrated on this wild quest, The Terminator, er, Howard, gets tangled in an amusing rivalry with another dad, who’s also committed to fulfilling the same promise to his own son. The movie takes a joyride through holiday traditions, weaving them into a chaotic comedy. But ultimately, the film is all about repairing Howard’s relationship with his son.

Elf

The catch? Buddy’s no pint-sized helper but a fully-grown adult with a dismal track record in the toy-making department.

When the revelation hits that he’s actually a human, Buddy sets off on a journey to New York City in search of the father who, regrettably, put him up for adoption. Buddy’s sugar-sweet, elfin demeanor clashes hilariously with the realities of the big city. Classic scenes include an epic snowball fight and a riotous scramble when Buddy (in a fit of frustration) unveils the true identity of a department store Santa Claus. Get ready for belly laughs and holiday cheer!

Arthur Christmas

Despite being hapless, Arthur is a true believer in the holiday magic. When he discovers a hiccup in an otherwise flawless present drop, missing a little girl’s gift, he steps in to show his jaded family what the real spirit of Christmas is all about.

Rise of the Guardians

Seeking guidance, Jack turns to the Man on the Moon, as the Boogie Man wreaks havoc by replacing children’s sweet dreams with nightmares.

This prompts a meeting of “The Guardians,” a magical group featuring a tattooed Santa Claus, the spirited Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman. Along with Jack Frost, they unite to combat forces threatening hope, wonder, and light in the world.

Rise of the Guardians is a thrilling spectacle. The animation is top-tier, bringing the story to life with incredible visuals. While the dark villain might give young audiences a slight scare, the overall quality and entertainment value make it a must-watch for your kid and the kids at heart.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

for my young daughter, promising laughs, classic tunes, and the whole Peanut squad’s usual shenanigans. A few minutes into the film, your kids will be belting out classic Christmas songs and chuckling at the charming antics of Charlie Brown and his friends.

The movie is a heartwarming reminder to children that joy comes from simple things. It’s like a guide for your child, steering them away from the commercial side of Christmas and nudging them toward the more meaningful aspects of the season. Grab some popcorn, gather the family, and let the Peanuts gang sprinkle a little extra magic into your holiday season.

Klaus

Smeerensburg, a village drowning in an ancient family feud.

Desperate to boost postal activity, Jesper comes up with a genius idea: encourage kids to write to the burly woodsman on the town’s outskirts, promising a handmade toy in return. What follows is a ripple effect of selfless acts that begins to breathe life back into Smeerensburg. But of course, not everyone is on board with letting go of age-old grudges.

Get ready for a heartwarming journey as Mr. Klaus discovers the magic that awakens the spirit of even the most feud-loving villagers.

A Christmas Carol (2009)

Who can forget about the OG Yuletide ghost story that kickstarted the spookiness back in 1843 when Charles Dickens unleashed it on the world? With a handful of film adaptations, picking a favorite can be quite challenging. However, a couple of cinematic spins on this chilling tale are worth mentioning.

Scrooged (1988), for instance, is much like the classic story but with a fresh twist. It features Bill Murray rocking the role of an unlikable TV executive who gets a visit from three spirits. This one’s a black comedy about a not-so-jolly white Christmas.

And if your child is in the mood for something lighter, there’s always the 1992 Muppets edition, featuring a Ghost of Christmas Present that eerily resembles egg drop soup. You know you’re looking at the film’s most terrifying part when you see Michael Caine busting a move in his PJs.

The Polar Express

animation. Right on the cusp of outgrowing his belief in Santa Claus, a young boy gets the surprise of a lifetime on Christmas Eve. An enormous steam locomotive pulls up outside his house, signaling the start of an extraordinary journey to the North Pole.

On board the train, he’s in for a magical adventure, making new friends through a snow-covered landscape that’s both enchanting and perilous. The art style is nothing but hauntingly beautiful. Where else can you experience such a unique blend of winter magic, tap dancing, and hot chocolate? It’s a ride you wouldn’t want to miss!

The Grinch (2018)

With the town of Whoville eagerly counting down the days to December 25, our green grouchy friend fervently comes up with a plot to sabotage the festivities. His plan? To impersonate Saint Nick, swipe Christmas from the Whovillains and put an end to the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a Grinchy experience that spans ages and brings out the holiday cheers in everyone.

Gremlins

Despite its initial rating, the film faced criticism for potentially exposing young kids to a bit too much mischief and mayhem.

Regardless of its reception, Gremlins boasts impressive practical effects and serves up some delightful dark comedy. It’s a genre-defying, generation-shaping classic that proves you can’t box in the charm of mischievous Mogwai and their scary, green troublemaker counterparts.

Home Alone

Cue Kevin’s genius plan: a series of homespun booby traps to give those bumbling intruders a hell of a ride.

Sure, it might not seem like the typical Christmas spirit to watch bad guys spilling down icy stairs or getting a face full of paint, but hey, seasonal joy comes in all sorts of flavors. In this case, it is served with a generous helping of mischief and laughter. Get ready for a holiday classic that proves Christmas chaos can be both entertaining and heartwarming.

Plug in the Best Christmas Movies for Kids!

I know what you’re thinking – “Aren’t all Christmas movies for kids?” Well, yes and no.

Sure, plenty are. But assuming that every film with a holiday theme is good for the kids is where most parents end up playing something unexpected. You may stream a movie where Santa is a serial killer, a Hallmark rom-com that bores them into a trance, or a flick that triggers a barrage of awkward questions like Edward Scissorhands.

There’s no denying that these Christmas movies never fail to spike up the holiday vibes. To save you from any holiday hiccups, these fantastic options are not only safe for the little ones but also promise to raise the holiday spirit.

So grab some snacks, gather the family, and let the movie marathon begin. After all, nothing beats learning the true meaning of Christmas through these festive cinematic gems.